Ladders can certainly be dangerous, but they are also necessary in many situations. Workers cannot just avoid using them, though they do need to be aware of the risks of suffering injuries in a fall.
The best solution is for workers to simply understand how to prioritize safety when working on ladders, lowering the odds that they will be involved in a fall. So what steps can workers take to increase their own safety?
Avoiding workplace injuries
Accidents can happen in industries like construction, roofing, painting and many more, but the following tips can help workers avoid a fall from a ladder:
- Ensure that the ladder is the right size and type for the job at hand.
- Consider the duty rating or weight limit on the ladder.
- Always maintain three points of contact when climbing or descending a ladder.
- Be wary of hazardous weather conditions, such as rain or wind.
- Never use a ladder when feeling dizzy or sick.
- Only have one worker use the ladder at a time.
- Make sure that the ladder has been set up at the correct angle and that it is on level ground.
- Do not lean to the side while at the top of the ladder.
- Do not try to move a ladder to a new location by rocking it back and forth or “walking” it while still staying on the ladder.
- Do not rush while climbing, but always focus on slow and controlled movements.
These tips can help workers stay safe, but falls do still happen and are a leading cause of injury. Injured workers need to know how to seek proper workers’ compensation benefits.